Arrow Video FrightFest renews New Blood talent search

SECOND YEAR FOR HORROR FEATURE WRITERS INITIATIVE IN ASSOCIATION WITH QUEENSBURY PICTURES

After the success of last year’s inaugural ‘New Blood’ search for new writers in the horror genre, the hunt is on for another batch of scribes to cook up a potent cauldron of original ideas and devilish tales. And the search starts today!

New Blood 2 finds FrightFest once again teamed with Giles Edwards of Queensbury Pictures, which aims to find new writers and nurture their project from script to screen.

One of last year’s entries, thriller BROADCAST SIGNAL INTRUSION, is now in pre-production, and is one of Queensbury Pictures’ first titles out of the traps. Written by Phil Drinkwater and Tim Woodall, it will be directed by Jacob Gentry (The Signal, Syncronicity).

Giles Edwards of Queensbury Pictures said: “2017’s edition of New Blood threw up a slew of vibrant, bold and riotously diverse pitches. But the hunt for great material doesn’t pause for breath. Projects that strive to enthral critically, perform commercially and that will entice a global audience hungry for thrilling new voices in the realm of fiercely entertaining genre cinema: that’s the hallmark of Queensbury Pictures and of New Blood.”

Ian Rattray, co-director of FrightFest commented: “The fact that Queensbury Pictures have taken last year’s winning entry to the stage where it is about to go into production vindicates our decision to partner up with them again. It’s not only an exciting venture but also an important one to help discover and nurture new talent”

Greg Day, co-director of FrightFest added: “What’s so exciting about this initiative is that it allows talented UK-based writers to interface with a US-based production company and get invaluable feedback and encouragement, knowing that it comes with a state-side commercial sensibility which is complimentary to the further development of their scripts.”

The successful shortlisted applicants will workshop their ideas in a group setting under the guidance of top industry professionals and genre experts which this year includes BAFTA-nominated UK producer Jack Tarling (God’s Own Country; Await Further Instructions) who is joined again by horror icon Barbara Crampton, director (The Ranger) and producer (Psychopaths) Jenn Wexler and Queensbury Pictures’ Giles Edwards.

The New Blood networking and workshop event will be held at on Thursday 23rd August, the opening day of this year’s festival, in a Central London venue

Applications are open from Wed 4 July with potential participants asked to submit a 200 word proposal through Film Freeway. The deadline is Thurs 2 August. All successful applicants will be notified by Mon 9 August. All participants are expected to pay for their own travel and accommodation.

Please note that the event is called Arrow Films FrightFest 2018 and runs runs from 23rd to 27th August.

Press enquires:

Paul Smith, PaulWSmithPR 07970 878802

Greg Day, Clout Communications Ltd 07889 861646

Editors notes:

About FrightFest

Dubbed “the Woodstock of Gore” by director Guillermo Del Toro, FrightFest, set up in 2000, has grown in size and stature since its cult roots at the Prince Charles Cinema and today is internationally renowned for discovering exciting and original horror fantasy genre films and for supporting the talent behind them, helping to launch the careers of such directors as Simon Rumley, Christopher Smith, Eli Roth, Neil Marshall and Simon Hunter.

Over the years the festival directors, Greg Day, Alan Jones, Paul McEvoy and Ian Rattray, have developed FrightFest into a brand leader for horror film, expanding its footprint in the UK by hosting special events throughout the year and joining forces with the Glasgow Film Festival, where they run an established three-day event. They have teamed up with FAB Press to publish a series of ‘The FrightFest Guide To…” books and recently announced a new partnership deal for their FrightFest Presents label with Signature Entertainment.

About Queensbury Pictures

Queensbury Pictures is a production company specializing in the development, finance and production of Film and TV/Digital Series for traditional and emerging distribution and exhibition platforms. Queensbury Pictures exists to usher in the next wave of audacious, world-class storytelling across multiple genres. Queensbury is based in LA, Chicago and London.